Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) belong to a group of rare autoimmune diseases called anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
(ANCA)-associated vasculitis, characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration
leading to necrosis of the blood vessels.
1,2
Treatment of GPA and MPA includes remission induction and remission maintenance.
Currently, rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, is one of the therapeutic options
approved for the induction phase.1,3,4 Recently, a number of uncontrolled studies have suggested that rituximab can also be of value in
maintaining remission.
5-10
This Rapid Response report aims to review the clinical effectiveness of rituximab
compared to other immunosuppressive drugs. Cost-effectiveness and evidence-based
guidelines regarding the use of rituximab for patients with GPA and MPA will also be
examined. This review is an update of a previous CADTH review that found no evidence
on the comparative clinical effectiveness of rituximab for remission maintenance in
patients with GPA and MPA.11
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